Heart Searches For Glory In Perth

Harry Kewell is yet to open his account for Heart. Image courtesy of heraldsun.com.au/Getty Images

New Melbourne Heart manager John van't Schip will be keen for his outfit to travel to Perth and get a much-needed win after dominating much of their last match against Central Coast Mariners which finished in a scoreless draw . Heart’s run without an A-League victory now stands at 18 matches but history is on its side, having won two of the last three league meetings against Perth and conceding just one goal in the process.

Perth is a stronger prospect at home, however, with just one home loss in their last seven A-League games at NIB Stadium. Glory has been bolstered by the return of Kiwi marksman Shane Smeltz and captain Jacob Burns , but lose Ryan Edwards and Jack Duncan to international duties. Heart will welcome back Jeremy Walker, Dylan Macallister & Ben Garuccio to their match day squad but also lose youngster Stefan Mauk to the Young Socceroos.

One of the big issues Heart has had this season is converting chances in front of goal. David Williams has been one of the main culprits, despite leading his team’s goalscoring tally with four. He has four in 10 appearances against Perth, though. Heart will need to fire up front with Perth having kept the Melburnians scoreless in three straight home wins.